*Glimpses of Self-Realization* - Who am I?’ is not a mantra. It means that you must find out where in you the ‘I-thought’ arises, which is the source of all other thoughts. ~ Ramana Maharshi

Breath control may do as an aid but can never by itself lead to the goal. While doing it mechanically, take care to be alert in mind and to remember the ‘I- thought’ and the quest for its source. Then you will find that where the breath sinks, there the ‘I-thought’ arises. They sink and arise together.

The ‘I-thought’ will also sink along with the breath. Simultaneously another luminous and infinite ‘I-I’ will emerge, and it will be continuous and unbroken. That is the goal. It goes by different names - God, Self, Kundalini, Shakti, Consciousness, etc.

Who am I?’ is not a mantra. It means that you must find out where in you the ‘I-thought’ arises, which is the source of all other thoughts. But if you find that 'Vichara marga' (path of inquiry) is too hard for you, you go on repeating ‘I-I’ and that will lead you to the same goal. There is no harm in using ‘I’ as a mantra. It is the first name of God.

- Gems

*Words of Wisdom* - Ramana Maharshi

Your thinking that you have to make an effort to get rid of this dream of the waking state and your making efforts to attain jnana [true knowledge] or real awakening are all parts of the dream. When you attain jnana you will see there was neither the dream during sleep, nor the waking state, but only yourself and your real state.
~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

Let it come what may, let go of what will be. See what remains. ~ Ramana Maharshi (Translated by Bing)